Fishermen’s Forum Breaks
Attendance Records

“Has anyone seen Keith Colburn around?” A shy Keith Colburn, perhaps spooked by the camera, behind the unsuspecting Cushman family. Mark Haskell photo

The 41st Maine Fishermen’s Forum drew record attendance and exhibitors in Rockport, Maine March 3-5, 2016. The Fishermen’s Forum is the leading industry event in Maine and one of the most valued in New England. Forum director Chilloa Young said it was the first year that Thursday, the first day, had so many seminars scheduled and very high attendance.

The most attended event of the weekend was a Thursday meeting to discuss the changes fishermen are seeing in the ocean they work on and how they might approach dealing with these changes. That event had more than 350 in attendance with standing-room-only overflow. Ocean, climate and environmental changes were the topics of a lot of seminars this year. Among those at the top of the list was the effects of rising water temperatures in the Gulf of Maine and its impact on lobster, settlement of larvae and the general health of the lobster resource.

“Changing Ocean” meeting on Thursday. About half 350 in attendance, the record for a single Maine Fishermen’s Forum meeting in 41 years. The nine panelists included West Coast fishermen, Australians, scientists and NOAA representatives. Mark Haskell photo

Seminars presented by fishermen, scientists, DMR staff, federal fisheries regulators, the U.S. Coast Guard and fisheries from seaweed to swordfish ran all day from 9am to 4:30pm. The number of Forum trade show exhibitors rose to record levels with 138 exhibitors, the largest number ever, said Young.

The gate estimated by the Samoset Resort was 4500 visitors, the largest attendance ever said Young. While the gate and exhibitor stats are important, many exhibitors reported that “the Forum is always a good show.” The Forum is also an important social event in the fishing industry. Held near the end of winter and before the fishing season starts, many in attendance see people they haven’t seen all year. There was a dining event every night, and events for kids including a swimming pool.

Auctioneer Dennis Damon pointing to the money at the Forum Scholarship Fund auction Friday night. The auction raises college scholarship funds for children of Maine fishing families. Fishermen’s Voice photo

Forum seminars present industry information on the front lines of scientific, regulatory, management and technology in the fishing industry both regionally and nationally.

Keith Colburn breaking a leg. The king of Alaskan Crab fishing and a star of the “Deadliest Catch” series
has become a regular at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum. Colburn says he is impressed by the depth
of interest and involvement of Maine fishermen in their fishery. Mark Haskell photo

“The Food Guys” chef and comedian, Jim LeVerso. “The Food Guys” event is a cross between a
cooking show and late night TV comedy. The results, however, are no joke. LeVerso is a real chef
and the food samples handed out are a great ending to an entertaining cooking event.
Mike Young plays the straight man to LeVerso’s running banter. Mark Haskell photo

High School students from the Maine Skippers Program exhibiting their project. Fishermen’s Voice photo

Kids trying out survival suits in the Samoset pool during the annual safety demon-stration. Mark Haskell photo

Three Fishermen’s Voice exhibit booth staff including Kayla Crowe, left, and Asher Molyneaux, right,
hard at work producing a compound selfie/youie/“whatever” at the Fishermen’s Forum in March 2016.
Fishermen’s Voice photo